Care team in award running

The palliative and end of life care team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital has been shortlisted for a nationa care award.

The team are in with a chance of winning the prestigious Palliative Care Team of the Year award in the annual British Medical Journal (BMJ) Awards in London on May 5.

The care team impressed judges with their new ‘Transform’ project to improve treatment for terminally ill patients.

Dr Andrea Whitfield, associate medical director and head of department for palliative medicine for the trust, said: “We are very excited that our team has been shortlisted.

“It’s a prestigious award and it recognises the work of all our colleagues in the hospital. It follows on from our success at the Patient Safety Awards in 2015.

“Our awards entry is all about transforming end of life care.

“As part of the sustainability of the Transform Project we have worked with Trinity Hospice to recruit three new nurses to the hospital palliative care team. The team will continue to support training of staff on the key enablers of transforming end of life care.”

Dr Harriet Preston, consultant in palliative medicine added: “Being shortlisted for the award is a reflection of what the team has achieved and of the importance of the Transform project.”